TerraLUX TLE-5EX MiniStar2 Extreme

TerraLUX TLE-5EX MiniStar2 Extreme is a Cree XR-E LED based MiniMag AA bulb replacement. TLE-5EX MiniStar2 Extreme is one of the brightest commercially available LED replacement available for MiniMag AA light in the market. Terralux TLE-5EX has considerably more light output as compared to original incandescent bulb. For the same type of batteries TLE-5EX will last much longer than the incandescent bulb. Since the LED replacement is solid state device, there is no filament to burn out or no glass to break. This makes your beloved MiniMag AA sturdier and last longer without worrying for replacement bulb. Another advantage of using solid state LED is that it offers pure white light as compared to yellow light incandescent bulb. Over the period of operation, the incandescent bulb will turn dark due to deposition of tungsten on inner walls of glass bulb in comparison the Cree XR-E led will remain in good condition for considerably long duration. The Cree XR-E LED operates at higher voltage than original incandescent bulb. For this purpose, Terralux has employed regulated step up electronic circuitry to drive the LED. TLE-5EX MiniStar2 Extreme package includes custom reflector. The replacement of incandescent bulb is a simple two step process which involves replacing original reflector with custom reflector and replacing the incandescent bulb with LED replacement. TerraLUX TLE-5EX light module has gold plated contact pins for better connectivity.

Light Features:

• Cree XR-E LED
• Custom reflector
• Regulated step up drive circuit
• Single light output level

Light Operation: The light operation remains same as that of MiniMag 2 AA Light. Twist in clockwise direction to switch ON and focus. Twist counterclockwise to change focus or switch OFF.

The chart showing total output of TLE-5EX with various batteries.

TerraLUX TLE-5EX MiniStar2 Extreme
Illumination Source	Sanyo Eneloop AA	Alkaline AA
TerraLUX TLE-5EX	810	880
Original Incandescent	55	65

General Info
ID	47
Light Model	TLE-5EX MiniStar2 Extreme
Manufacturer	TerraLUX
Review Page & Image	TLE-5EX MiniStar2 Extreme
Country	United States
Review Date	2008-08-10
Review Update	2008-08-10
Light Vitals
Length	15 mm
Width / Bezel Diameter	15 mm
Width / Tube Diameter	mm
Height (if applicable)	mm
Weight (without battery)	0 gm
Light Source
LED Format	Power LED
Number of LEDs	1
LED Name	Cree XR - E
LED Power	3  Watts
Light Management
Lens Material	Acrilic
Lens Coating (if any)	None
Lens Transperency (typical)	70
Lumen Management	Reflector
Material	Plastic
Beam Type	Variable Focus
Power Management
Converter Type	Step Up
Properties	Semi Regulated
Features	Simple
Batteries Supported, Output & Runtime
Battery Size     Chemistry     Nominal Voltage     # Used     Total Output     Runtime to 75%     Runtime to 50%     Runtime to 25%	AA AA NiMH   Alk   1.2 1.6 1 1 810 880 8 0 143 0 146 0
Switch Options
Switch Type     Switch Properties	Not Applicable Not Applicable
Body Material Options
Material     Properties     Color	Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable
Light Rating
Looks	60
Build Quality	70
Runtime	50
Output	70
Features	20
Usability	70
Bang for buck	60
Overall Rating	57.143

Packaging: TerraLUX TLE-5EX MiniStar2 Extreme is packaged in simple PE packaging and comes with hard paper based literature and match box sized plastic box. The plastic box has black base and transparent top. Inside the plastic box, there is pink colored PE foam bed to protect the contents. Placed above the foam are reflector and the TLE-5EX LED replacement module. The LED over the module is protected from top with a small piece of bubble wrap.

Here is a closeup picture of custom reflector and TLE-5EX.


Front view of custom reflector and TerraLUX TLE-5EX MiniStar2 Extreme light module.


Size Comparison: Comparing size with standard AA battery, The diameter of TLE-5EX is about same as that of AA battery. The overall length of module including the pins is about 25 mm.


Here is another size comparison of TerraLUX TLE-5EX size with incandescent 2AA MiniMag bulb. Notice the darkening incandescent bulb.


TerraLUX TLE-5EX MiniStar2 Extreme: Here is a closeup picture of the module. As you can see the Cree XR-E LED is placed perfectly in center directly soldered over the PCB.


Here is a 360 view composite image of TerraLUX TLE-5EX MiniStar2 Extreme light module. All electronics is potted in epoxy and the only parts that are exposed are the LED and gold plated contact LED's. Due to potting, whole assembly looks very durable.


Installing TerraLUX TLE-5EX MiniStar2 Extreme on MiniMag AA: On the back side of mini booklet instructions to install the LED module are printed.


So with the instructions as above, let's begin installing the TerraLUX TLE-5EX MiniStar2 Extreme LED Replacement.


Open up the head and the bezel as shown below, replace the old reflector with the custom reflector from TerraLUX, reassemble bezel ring back.


Next step is to install the TerraLUX TLE-5EX MiniStar2 Extreme Light Module. This is even simpler step. Just remove the old bi-pin incandescent bulb and replace it with the new LED replacement module.






If it does not light up, remove, rotate by 180 degree to reverse the direction of pins and re install. There, you see light. Caution: Do not look/stare at LED directly! It's extremely bright and may cause temporary or permanent eye damage.


Here is a picture of completed assembly.

The beam of TerraLUX TLE-5EX MiniStar2 Extreme forms a donut hole at short distances, although it not visible to eye and can only captured through highly underexposed with the camera. The beam has sharp and well defined hotspot without any corona. The side spill is fairly bright but not as bright as other Cree LED basic counterparts. Most of the light is directed forward and converted in to tight hotspot. Overall, the beam quality is fair and very bright. The Beam Shots Matrix shows TerraLUX TLE-5EX MiniStar2 Extreme installed on MiniMag 2AA flashlight with 2 x 2000 mAh Sanyo Eneloop NiMH Rechargeable batteries. All beam shots are taken at f/8 aperture with varying shutter speed.

	TerraLUX TLE-5EX MiniStar2 Extreme (Spot Focus)
1/1000
1/500
1/250
1/100
1/50
1/25
1/10

Equipment Used: Custom built Integrating Sphere with Gossen Mavolux 5032 Class B USB Light Meter as photometer. Mavolux 5032 B USB is high precision, high accuracy and high quality light meter with conformance to DIN 5032-7 and CIE 69 standards. Utmost care has taken to ensure that the light measurements are accurate. Click here to read more about Gossen Mavolux 5032 USB Light Meter.

NiMH AA: The runtime for TerraLUX TLE-5EX MiniStar2 Extreme with 2 x 2000 mAh Sanyo NiMH AA battery is about 2 Hour and 32 Minutes till 50%. The Light begins with 80 Lumens out front for the first few Minutes. The light output then stabilizes and remains in between 60 to 50 Lumens.